[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11255-S11256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 220--DESIGNATING THE NINTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER OF EACH 
       YEAR AS ``NATIONAL FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY''

  Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 220

       Whereas fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading cause of 
     mental retardation in western civilization, including the 
     United States, and is 100 percent preventable;
       Whereas fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a major cause 
     of numerous social disorders including learning disabilities, 
     school failure, juvenile delinquency, homelessness, 
     unemployment, mental illness, and crime;
       Whereas economists estimate that each individual with fetal 
     alcohol spectrum disorders will cost United States taxpayers 
     between $1,500,000 and $3,000,000 in his or her lifetime;
       Whereas in February 1999, a small group of parents of 
     children who suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome/effect (FAS/
     E) came together with the hope that in 1 magic moment the 
     world could be made aware of the devastating consequences of 
     alcohol consumption during pregnancy;
       Whereas the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 
     Awareness Day was observed on September 9, 1999;
       Whereas Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, the co-founder of 
     the first International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day, 
     stated the purpose of the observance as: ``What if . . . a 
     world full of FAS/E parents all got together on the ninth 
     hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year and 
     asked the world to remember that during the 9 months of 
     pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol . . . would the 
     rest of the world listen?''; and
       Whereas on the ninth day of the ninth month of each year 
     since 1999, communities around the world have observed 
     International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the ninth day of September of each year as 
     ``National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day''; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to--
       (A) observe ``National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness 
     Day'' with appropriate ceremonies to--
       (i) promote awareness of the effects of prenatal exposure 
     to alcohol;
       (ii) increase compassion for individuals affected by 
     prenatal exposure to alcohol;
       (iii) minimize further effects; and
       (iv) ensure healthier communities across the United States; 
     and
       (B) observe a moment of reflection on the ninth hour of the 
     ninth day of September to remember that during the 9 months 
     of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol.
                                  ____

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, at nine minutes after the hour of nine 
in communities across Alaska and around the world, people are pausing 
today to observe International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Awareness 
Day. International FAS Awareness Day was first observed on September 9, 
1999. It began with a small group of parents of children afflicted with 
FAS and Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE) who came together on the Internet to 
ask this compelling question, ``What if a world full of FAS and FAE 
parents all got together on the ninth hour of the ninth day of the 
ninth month of the year and asked the world to remember that during the 
nine months of pregnancy a woman should not consume alcohol?''
  These pioneering activists, most of whom were adoptive and foster 
parents, led by Brian Philcox and Bonnie Buxton of Toronto, Canada, did 
not have the resources of large public relations firms or well 
connected lobbyists. They organized the first International FAS 
Awareness Day on a shoestring using the Internet. Rapidly their group 
grew to include more than 70 volunteer coordinators in eight countries. 
Through this grassroots awareness effort, many women of childbearing 
age learned for the first time that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy 
is good.
  Each year their simple message travels further. On this fifth 
International FAS Awareness Day, we know that the message is getting 
across. Numerous observances are planned in my home State of Alaska. In 
Nome, a birthday cake celebration will honor all babies who will be 
born in the region in the coming year. In Kenai the American Legion 
will sponsor a breakfast and the ringing of bells at 9:09 AM. The 
Mayors of Anchorage, Haines and Wasilla, to name a few, have issued 
local proclamations.
  The Commissioner of our Alaska Department of Health and Social 
Services, Joel Gilbertson, and the staff of his Division of Behavioral 
Health, are to be commended for their diligent efforts in bringing 
International FAS Awareness Day to Alaska. An excellent resource manual 
to help communities plan their observances, is accessible through the 
Internet page of the State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social 
Services. I would also like to thank the Substance Abuse and Mental 
Health Services Administration of the US Department of Health and Human 
Services, which is publicizing International FAS Awareness Day on their 
website.
  Yet, in spite of all of the hard work of dedicated volunteers over 
the last several years to publicize International FAS Awareness Day, I 
was surprised to learn that legislation has not been introduced in the 
Congress to ask that the President designate September 9 of each year 
as National FAS Awareness Day across the United States. The resolution 
that I am introducing today would do just that.
  The resolution, like the day itself, is intended to focus attention 
on the high cost of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to our Nation and 
the ease of prevention. At the same time it asks that the American 
people treat those afflicted with these disorders with compassion and 
support. FAS is the largest cause of mental retardation in Alaska, the 
United States and all of western civilization and it is one hundred 
percent preventable. The simple fact is that no amount of alcohol 
during pregnancy has been established as safe for the fetus. If women 
do not drink alcohol--any alcohol--during the nine months of pregnancy; 
alcohol-related birth defects will be eliminated.
  It is high time that we recognize the efforts of the dedicated 
volunteers who conceived and developed International FAS Awareness Day 
with a national

[[Page S11256]]

observance in the United States. On the first International FAS 
Awareness Day in 1999, Bonnie Buxton put forth this question to those 
who care for FAS and FAE children, ``What if we made a noise? Would the 
rest of the world listen?'' To Bonnie and all of the others who have 
made International FAS Awareness Day a reality, I want to say that the 
United States Senate is listening and proudly joins in your efforts to 
spread the word. Thanks to your good works, the world is listening.

                          ____________________